I love the photos! And I do have fond memories of my youth (you nailed those descriptions!) but that doesn't mean it was all cotton candy and Norman Rockwell... we all have family "stuff", but that's life. Maybe the more "stuff" we're exposed to when young, the more equipped we are to deal with "stuff" that comes to us as adults? This was great to read!
I agree, Stuart, about the exposure. I think we all have "stuff," which is why it's so lovely to bask for a few minutes in the fond memories, which you are so good at sharing! You have been and continue to be one of my favorite reads! And I'm so excited that you have subscribed to Tales! Welcome! 💜
This is a great piece. I see your dad in the garden, his pride, his apparent health, that which did grow in him. My mother always said, "We are victims of victims." I love how you brought the pictures of your few times with your grandparents and described so beautifully your San Bruno experiences. Coming to that conclusion is a godsend. For you and for others, to see the sad but also glean the good. I think the fact that back in those days no one could talk about the deepest parts of ourselves, what I perceive is the reason so many exploded with addictions and the aftereffects of unconscious behavior because there was no safe place to say what the soul needed to say. One of the reasons SUBSTACK is so much more than we realize!
I agree, Lisa, Substack is a gift! And I feel fortunate to have a place to say what my soul needs to say. I also love going through the old photos, studying them, still learning from them. This photo of my dad I never really paid attention to before. I was struck most by his shoes, ha! He is wearing a type of shoe that I like. Also my "recollection" of my grandmothers I realize was taught to me by comments my parents would make. My mother did not get along with her mother, and my father adored his mother. But as I look at these photos, I see the love my mother's mother showed me, and I have to wonder what it might have been like to actually know her. Life is so interesting! 💜
I had heard and witnessed stuff my mom's mom did but still didn't understand as a child what was wrong with them. When I was 26, I lived with my grandma Henrietta for a number of months and got to fully see who the woman was. That said, "You don't know who people are behind closed doors." Truth. Or something there of... witnessing her behaviors, hearing her cruelly carp on me with no regard for my inner process, I got it! I like that picture of your dad and both grandmothers look like they were doing the best they could with the people in the picture at that time. It is sad, but perhaps in our continual evolution, necessary. We commented on this then... https://journalisa.substack.com/p/healing-ancestors Good on you for going forward with this exploration. That must feel great inside!
Yes, the photo of my mom and dad and my grandmother, your comment is perfect, they look like they were doing the best they could. Their expressions tell me it wasn't easy. I look like the only person having a good time, lol!
At least you have that! I've been reading online a borrowed ebook of Margaret Atwood's that just came out... Old Babes in the Woods. "My Evil Mother" story ... wish I could copy and send you, but worth the read. Funny. Haunting. Anyway, great story today. So glad we "could have this time together"
Thanks for sharing your childhood memories with us... I truly enjoyed learning about how you retained some memories of the good and the bad, and how compassionate your words are towards your own family and neighbors at the time!
My goodness!. Another lovely, well written story that weaves it's magic through many levels with such sweet mind pictures that I feel I am there with you!
You have found your “voice” and this story flow with it in a confident steady pace if discovery.
I think we were all sold a bill of goods with TV shows Like Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet and Make Room For Daddy. I truly believe we all thought that that was what our fiends were experiencing at their homes when we weren’t. As an adult with the help of therapy I realize my parents did the best they could. My father was our saving grace. My mother was another story but I never doubted that she loved me the best way she knew how.
Yes, I would say the same about my parents, and I feel fortunate that I had different choices and advantages that they did not have, for instance, as you mention, therapy. 💜
I love that you've shared these stories, Sue. Beautiful pictures, and such considered, heartfelt words to describe complicated scenarios. A great read - thank you. Sending sunshine. 🌞
I love the photos! And I do have fond memories of my youth (you nailed those descriptions!) but that doesn't mean it was all cotton candy and Norman Rockwell... we all have family "stuff", but that's life. Maybe the more "stuff" we're exposed to when young, the more equipped we are to deal with "stuff" that comes to us as adults? This was great to read!
I agree, Stuart, about the exposure. I think we all have "stuff," which is why it's so lovely to bask for a few minutes in the fond memories, which you are so good at sharing! You have been and continue to be one of my favorite reads! And I'm so excited that you have subscribed to Tales! Welcome! 💜
This is a great piece. I see your dad in the garden, his pride, his apparent health, that which did grow in him. My mother always said, "We are victims of victims." I love how you brought the pictures of your few times with your grandparents and described so beautifully your San Bruno experiences. Coming to that conclusion is a godsend. For you and for others, to see the sad but also glean the good. I think the fact that back in those days no one could talk about the deepest parts of ourselves, what I perceive is the reason so many exploded with addictions and the aftereffects of unconscious behavior because there was no safe place to say what the soul needed to say. One of the reasons SUBSTACK is so much more than we realize!
I agree, Lisa, Substack is a gift! And I feel fortunate to have a place to say what my soul needs to say. I also love going through the old photos, studying them, still learning from them. This photo of my dad I never really paid attention to before. I was struck most by his shoes, ha! He is wearing a type of shoe that I like. Also my "recollection" of my grandmothers I realize was taught to me by comments my parents would make. My mother did not get along with her mother, and my father adored his mother. But as I look at these photos, I see the love my mother's mother showed me, and I have to wonder what it might have been like to actually know her. Life is so interesting! 💜
I had heard and witnessed stuff my mom's mom did but still didn't understand as a child what was wrong with them. When I was 26, I lived with my grandma Henrietta for a number of months and got to fully see who the woman was. That said, "You don't know who people are behind closed doors." Truth. Or something there of... witnessing her behaviors, hearing her cruelly carp on me with no regard for my inner process, I got it! I like that picture of your dad and both grandmothers look like they were doing the best they could with the people in the picture at that time. It is sad, but perhaps in our continual evolution, necessary. We commented on this then... https://journalisa.substack.com/p/healing-ancestors Good on you for going forward with this exploration. That must feel great inside!
Yes, the photo of my mom and dad and my grandmother, your comment is perfect, they look like they were doing the best they could. Their expressions tell me it wasn't easy. I look like the only person having a good time, lol!
At least you have that! I've been reading online a borrowed ebook of Margaret Atwood's that just came out... Old Babes in the Woods. "My Evil Mother" story ... wish I could copy and send you, but worth the read. Funny. Haunting. Anyway, great story today. So glad we "could have this time together"
I'll have to check that out! And yes, I'm glad as well, hopefully one of many times to come on Substack. 💜
Thanks for sharing your childhood memories with us... I truly enjoyed learning about how you retained some memories of the good and the bad, and how compassionate your words are towards your own family and neighbors at the time!
Thank you, Luisa. Realizations come with time and forgiveness. I am very grateful to finally feel the compassion for all of us. 💜
My goodness!. Another lovely, well written story that weaves it's magic through many levels with such sweet mind pictures that I feel I am there with you!
You have found your “voice” and this story flow with it in a confident steady pace if discovery.
Bravo!!
Thank you, Chinmayan. What a lovely comment, I appreciate it!! 💜
I think we were all sold a bill of goods with TV shows Like Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet and Make Room For Daddy. I truly believe we all thought that that was what our fiends were experiencing at their homes when we weren’t. As an adult with the help of therapy I realize my parents did the best they could. My father was our saving grace. My mother was another story but I never doubted that she loved me the best way she knew how.
Yes, I would say the same about my parents, and I feel fortunate that I had different choices and advantages that they did not have, for instance, as you mention, therapy. 💜
I love that you've shared these stories, Sue. Beautiful pictures, and such considered, heartfelt words to describe complicated scenarios. A great read - thank you. Sending sunshine. 🌞
Thank you, Rebecca! I'll take the sunshine any day! 💜